How Trump’s policies are targeting Columbia University and campus activism | World News

Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil

Khalil, a lawful US resident born in Syria to Palestinian parents, was detained in New York and transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that his arrest was linked to Trump’s executive orders prohibiting antisemitism.

A protester raises signs during a demonstration in support of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil outside Columbia University. (AP photo)

Columbia’s Student Workers union reported that federal authorities had also attempted to detain another international student but were denied entry due to a lack of a warrant.

Khalil had been a key figure in Columbia’s pro-Palestinian activism, mediating between protesters and university officials. He denied allegations of antisemitism, stating that his involvement was part of a broader anti-war movement that included Jewish students and groups.

Federal funding cuts to Columbia

The Trump administration has cut approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing the institution’s “inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”

Palestinian supporters, including Mahmoud Khalil, second from left, demonstrate during a protest at Columbia University. (AP photo)

US Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, “Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and anti-Semitic harassment on their campuses—only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them.”

In response, Columbia University said it is committed to working with the federal government to restore the lost funding. “We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is,” a university spokesperson told NBC News. “We are committed to combatting antisemitism and ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.”

Columbia’s history of student protests

People listen to Griffin Gowdy, a PhD student at Columbia University, speak during a ‘Stand Up for Science’ rally in New York. (AP photo)

Columbia has been a hub for student activism for decades, with major protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and various movements for racial justice, as per The Week. The latest wave of protests has focused on the Israel-Gaza war, with students demanding divestment from companies linked to Israel and increased protections for pro-Palestinian activism.

Pro-Palestinian demonstration encampment is seen at the Columbia University. (AP photo)

Following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Columbia saw protests and counterprotests, with allegations of both antisemitism and Islamophobia emerging. The university called in NYPD officers to clear protest encampments, leading to mass arrests—the largest on campus since the Vietnam War protests, as per BBC.

How does Trump differ from Biden on the protests?

President Donald Trump has taken a hardline approach toward campus protests. He has advocated for the deportation of international students involved in demonstrations and has strongly supported police crackdowns on campus protests.

In contrast, former President Joe Biden had emphasized the right to peaceful protests while condemning antisemitism and harassment. Unlike Trump, he avoided extreme punitive measures such as cutting university funding. Instead, his administration allowed universities to manage campus disruptions independently while ensuring compliance with anti-discrimination laws.

Trump has vowed continued action against students he claims are involved in pro-Palestinian activism, while legal and academic groups have raised concerns about the implications for student rights.

(With inputs from Politico, Time, The Hill, BBC, NBC News, The Week)